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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The parking lot and the north facing of the Turner building. Written on recto: North elevation of Turner.
James H. Costen Collection
Northside Turner Building, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The parking lot and the north facing of the Turner building. Written on recto: North elevation of Turner.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
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.
James H. Costen Collection
Hattie Loving, 1988
Date Created
1988
Description
Hattie Loving holds out a pen and paper while she stands by a banquet table. Written on verso: 1988 Internal campaign Hattie Loving.
Subject
Portraits and people, Theological seminaries, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man places a red hood on a graduate as he crosses the stage.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Places Red Hood on Graduate, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man places a red hood on a graduate as he crosses the stage.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
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.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Woman Standing on Stage, circa 1988
Date Created
1984/1989
Description
An unidentified woman speaking on stage in front of a crowd of children. Unidentified adults sit in a line in folding chairs.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member places a red hood on a graduate.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Student Receives Red Hood, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified faculty member places a red hood on a graduate.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified children play outside on a swing set.
James H. Costen Collection
Children Play on a Swing Set, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Unidentified children play outside on a swing set.
Subject
Children, Recreation, African Americans--Education
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Professors, graduates, and the general public attend the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Attendees of the I.T.C. Graduation Ceremony, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Professors, graduates, and the general public attend the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member kisses a graduate to congratulate her on graduating.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Faculty Member Congratulates Graduate, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified faculty member kisses a graduate to congratulate her on graduating.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a speech.
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants During Speech, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a speech.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Dr. Grant Shockley.
James H. Costen Collection
ITC President Grant S. Shockley, circa 1964
Date Created
1961/1967
Description
Portrait of Dr. Grant Shockley.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thorton has picture taken with his wife and son.
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thornton with Family, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Calvin Thorton has picture taken with his wife and son.
Subject
African American families, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
East side of the physical plant.
James H. Costen Collection
Physical Plant, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
East side of the physical plant.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
People gather in a gymnasium for a commencement ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Commencement, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
People gather in a gymnasium for a commencement ceremony.
Subject
African American universities and colleges, Portraits and people, Commencement ceremonies
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The faade of Gammon Residence: King Building.
James H. Costen Collection
Gammon Residence: King Building, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The faade of Gammon Residence: King Building.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
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.
James H. Costen Collection
Senior Breakfast, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
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.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group of unidentified young women dance on a basketball court.
James H. Costen Collection
Young Women Dance on a Basketball Court, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
A group of unidentified young women dance on a basketball court.
Subject
African American arts, Theatre and dance
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man receives his diploma and shakes Dr. Grant Shockley's hand.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Receives Diploma, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man receives his diploma and shakes Dr. Grant Shockley's hand.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Nathaniel Stampley and his wife walking through tables at the 1979 senior breakfast.
James H. Costen Collection
Nathaniel Stampley and His Wife, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Nathaniel Stampley and his wife walking through tables at the 1979 senior breakfast.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address.
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants Sitting on Platform, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Platform Participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
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.
James H. Costen Collection
Man Receives a Green Hood, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man places a green hood around the neck of the 1978 honorary graduate as President Grant Shockley looks on.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thorton poses for a picture with his family.
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thornton with Family, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Calvin Thorton poses for a picture with his family.
Subject
African American families, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Children playing outside on a jungle gym.
James H. Costen Collection
Children Playing Outside, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Unidentified Children playing outside on a jungle gym.
Subject
Portraits and people, Children, African Americans--Education
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
At the podium, the 1978 commencement speaker delivers his address.
James H. Costen Collection
Commencement Speaker, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
At the podium, the 1978 commencement speaker delivers his address.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The Westside entrance to the Bennet Hall building. Written on recto: West elevation of Bennet Hall.
James H. Costen Collection
Bennet Hall, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The Westside entrance to the Bennet Hall building. Written on recto: West elevation of Bennet Hall.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James Sanders, Portia Vavett, and Barbara [Arrington] eating at a an [Internal] Campaign. Written on verso: 1988 Internal Campaign James Sanders, Portia Vavett, Barbara [Arrington].
James H. Costen Collection
James Sanders, Portia Vavett, and Barbara Arrington, 1988
Date Created
1988
Description
James Sanders, Portia Vavett, and Barbara [Arrington] eating at a an [Internal] Campaign. Written on verso: 1988 Internal Campaign James Sanders, Portia Vavett, Barbara [Arrington].
Subject
Portraits and people, Theological seminaries, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons stand shoulder to shoulder at an ITC Grand Reunion. Written on verso: ITC Grand Reunion 1994. Bennie Mitchell, Angelin Simmons.
James H. Costen Collection
Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons at an ITC Grand Reunion, 1994
Date Created
1994
Description
Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons stand shoulder to shoulder at an ITC Grand Reunion. Written on verso: ITC Grand Reunion 1994. Bennie Mitchell, Angelin Simmons.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate stands on stage in front of platform participants.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Graduate on Stage, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate stands on stage in front of platform participants.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Copher sits next to Mrs. Copher in a Santa suit. Written on rector: Dr. and Mrs. Copher.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. & Mrs. Copher, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Dr. Copher sits next to Mrs. Copher in a Santa suit. Written on rector: Dr. and Mrs. Copher.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Two trash bins are turned upside down. The concrete is eroded where the brick meets the concrete and the railing along the stairs is rusted. Written on recto: Dining hall loading dock.
James H. Costen Collection
The Dining Hall Loading Dock, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
Two trash bins are turned upside down. The concrete is eroded where the brick meets the concrete and the railing along the stairs is rusted. Written on recto: Dining hall loading dock.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An award is presented to an unidentified man by Howard Robinson at the 1979 senior breakfast.
James H. Costen Collection
Award Presented by Howard Robinson, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An award is presented to an unidentified man by Howard Robinson at the 1979 senior breakfast.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group of unidentified girls sing around a singular microphone on stage. A children's orchestra sits in the orchestra holding their instruments.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Girls Singing, circa 1988
Date Created
1984/1989
Description
A group of unidentified girls sing around a singular microphone on stage. A children's orchestra sits in the orchestra holding their instruments.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
B. E. Mays, H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith stand together. Written on verso: L. to R.: Pres. B. E. Mays, Pres. H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith.
James H. Costen Collection
Founding Fathers, circa 1971
Date Created
1968/1973
Description
B. E. Mays, H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith stand together. Written on verso: L. to R.: Pres. B. E. Mays, Pres. H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man gives a commencement address.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Gives Commencement Speech, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified man gives a commencement address.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Copher wears a Santa suit to the 1978 Christmas party.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Copher Wearing a Santa Suit, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Dr. Copher wears a Santa suit to the 1978 Christmas party.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Rev. Jesse Jackson stands behind a podium and delivers a speech at an unidentified location.
James H. Costen Collection
Rev. Jesse Jackson at Podium, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
Rev. Jesse Jackson stands behind a podium and delivers a speech at an unidentified location.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events, Lectures and lecturing
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The west view of the married housing building.
James H. Costen Collection
West View of Married Housing, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The west view of the married housing building.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified graduates find their seats for the ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Graduation Attendees, Class of 1978, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Unidentified graduates find their seats for the ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The graduating class of 1964 stand at the steps of an unidentified building for a class photo. Written on verso: Commencement at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - May, 1964. Th.M. Degree James H. Costen - Back Floor Left.
James H. Costen Collection
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Graduating Class, May 1964
Date Created
1964-05
Description
The graduating class of 1964 stand at the steps of an unidentified building for a class photo. Written on verso: Commencement at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - May, 1964. Th.M. Degree James H. Costen - Back Floor Left.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges, Education--Religion
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Melva Costen directs the I.T.C Center Chorus. Written on recto: I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress: Dr. Melva Costen.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress Dr. Melva Costen, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Melva Costen directs the I.T.C Center Chorus. Written on recto: I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress: Dr. Melva Costen.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate takes a picture with an older couple.
James H. Costen Collection
An Unidentified Student with a Couple, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified graduate takes a picture with an older couple.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address during I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants Listening to a Speech, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address during I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Minnie Wright and Dr. Grant Shockley hold an piece of paper at Dr. Shockley's desk. Written on verso: Pacs. See. Minnie Wright & Dr. Shockley.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. President Dr. Grant Shockley and Minnie Wright, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Minnie Wright and Dr. Grant Shockley hold an piece of paper at Dr. Shockley's desk. Written on verso: Pacs. See. Minnie Wright & Dr. Shockley.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The double door entrance to the south elevation of the Gammon Theological Seminary building.
James H. Costen Collection
South Elevation of Gammon, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The double door entrance to the south elevation of the Gammon Theological Seminary building.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate is given a red hood by a faculty member.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Graduate is Given Red Hood, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate is given a red hood by a faculty member.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Trees and a winding dirt road lead up to an unidentified building.
James H. Costen Collection
Landscape, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Trees and a winding dirt road lead up to an unidentified building.
Subject
Buildings and grounds
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified group, possibly a family, stand on a staircase with and pose for pictures with an unidentified young woman in a red cap & gown.
James H. Costen Collection
An Unidentified Group Standing on Staircase, circa 1988
Date Created
1984/1989
Description
An unidentified group, possibly a family, stand on a staircase with and pose for pictures with an unidentified young woman in a red cap & gown.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified students stand on a stage, behind podiums with academic symbols on them. The students are wearing graduation caps and gowns.
James H. Costen Collection
Students Standing Behind Podiums, circa 1988
Date Created
1984/1989
Description
Unidentified students stand on a stage, behind podiums with academic symbols on them. The students are wearing graduation caps and gowns.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate shakes hands with President Grant Shockley.
James H. Costen Collection
Graduate Shaking Hands, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified graduate shakes hands with President Grant Shockley.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Members of the platform participants during the graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Members of the platform participants during the graduation ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The 1978 commencement speaker gives his address.
James H. Costen Collection
Commencement Speaker, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
The 1978 commencement speaker gives his address.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection