Dr. James H. Costen was Presbyterian minister and educator, and served as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) from 1983 to 1997. In 1969, he became the first Dean of the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary the only historically Black theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Costenss records tell the story of an active educator and administrator with the papers providing rich resources in the study of African American religion and education in the South. At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu. 
Jun 13, 2019

James H. Costen Collection

Dr. James H. Costen was Presbyterian minister and educator, and served as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) from 1983 to 1997. In 1969, he became the first Dean of the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary the only historically Black theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Costenss records tell the story of an active educator and administrator with the papers providing rich resources in the study of African American religion and education in the South.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu. 
223 Objects displayed
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Northside Turner Building, circa 1995
1992/1998
The parking lot and the north facing of the Turner building. Written on recto: North elevation of Turner.
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The parking lot and the north facing of the Turner building. Written on recto: North elevation of Turner.
Hattie Loving, 1988
1988
Hattie Loving holds out a pen and paper while she stands by a banquet table. Written on verso: 1988 Internal campaign Hattie Loving.
Portraits and people, Theological seminaries, Special events
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Hattie Loving holds out a pen and paper while she stands by a banquet table. Written on verso: 1988 Internal campaign Hattie Loving.
Unidentified Man Places Red Hood on Graduate, 1978
1978
An unidentified man places a red hood on a graduate as he crosses the stage.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man places a red hood on a graduate as he crosses the stage.
Unidentified Woman Standing on Stage, circa 1988
1984/1989
An unidentified woman speaking on stage in front of a crowd of children. Unidentified adults sit in a line in folding chairs.
Portraits and people, Special events
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified woman speaking on stage in front of a crowd of children. Unidentified adults sit in a line in folding chairs.
Unidentified Student Receives Red Hood, 1979
1979
An unidentified faculty member places a red hood on a graduate.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member places a red hood on a graduate.
Children Play on a Swing Set, circa 1976
1974/1978
Unidentified children play outside on a swing set.
Children, Recreation, African Americans--Education
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified children play outside on a swing set.
Attendees of the I.T.C. Graduation Ceremony, 1979
1979
Professors, graduates, and the general public attend the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Professors, graduates, and the general public attend the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Unidentified Faculty Member Congratulates Graduate, 1979
1979
An unidentified faculty member kisses a graduate to congratulate her on graduating.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member kisses a graduate to congratulate her on graduating.
Platform Participants During Speech, 1979
1979
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a speech.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a speech.
ITC President Grant S. Shockley, circa 1964
1961/1967
Portrait of Dr. Grant Shockley.
Presidents, Portraits and people
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Dr. Grant Shockley.
Calvin Thornton with Family, circa 1976
1974/1978
Calvin Thorton has picture taken with his wife and son.
African American families, Portraits and people
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thorton has picture taken with his wife and son.
Physical Plant, circa 1995
1992/1998
East side of the physical plant.
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
East side of the physical plant.
Commencement, circa 1976
1974/1978
People gather in a gymnasium for a commencement ceremony.
African American universities and colleges, Portraits and people, Commencement ceremonies
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
People gather in a gymnasium for a commencement ceremony.
Gammon Residence: King Building, circa 1995
1992/1998
The faade of Gammon Residence: King Building.
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The faade of Gammon Residence: King Building.
Senior Breakfast, 1979
1979
A group of women stand in front of a bouquet of flowers on a table. Written on recto: Hostesses (L-R): Valerie Crawford, Jean Wil Kerson, Franis Mitchell, Mrs. Minnie Wright, Pamela Wyatt, and Christy Esau.
Portraits and people, Special events
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group of women stand in front of a bouquet of flowers on a table. Written on recto: Hostesses (L-R): Valerie Crawford, Jean Wil Kerson, Franis Mitchell, Mrs. Minnie Wright, Pamela Wyatt, and Christy Esau.
Young Women Dance on a Basketball Court, circa 1976
1974/1978
A group of unidentified young women dance on a basketball court.
African American arts, Theatre and dance
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group of unidentified young women dance on a basketball court.
Unidentified Man Receives Diploma, 1978
1978
An unidentified man receives his diploma and shakes Dr. Grant Shockley's hand.
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man receives his diploma and shakes Dr. Grant Shockley's hand.
Nathaniel Stampley and His Wife, 1979
1979
Nathaniel Stampley and his wife walking through tables at the 1979 senior breakfast.
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Nathaniel Stampley and his wife walking through tables at the 1979 senior breakfast.
Platform Participants Sitting on Platform, 1979
1979
Platform Participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address.
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address.
Man Receives a Green Hood, 1978
1978
An unidentified man places a green hood around the neck of the 1978 honorary graduate as President Grant Shockley looks on.
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man places a green hood around the neck of the 1978 honorary graduate as President Grant Shockley looks on.