June 2025
Dr. Christopher Verga, adjunct assistant professor of history at SCCC since 2010, is the author of several books and a columnist for local publications about the history of Long Island. Chris regularly teaches HIS103 Foundations of American History as well as HIS206 History of Long Island and is known to be a captivating professor in the classroom. Chris’ dedication to enlightening faculty, staff and students of LI’s complex history on social justice issues, in an objective, fact-based and compelling fashion is why I nominated him for this year’s FA Award for Community Outreach and Social Justice. The books Chris has published during his time as an FA member all speak to his commitment to educating people about prejudice, discrimination and social justice in multiple forms, including
In addition to being an active writer and teacher, Chris not only serves as a member of the board of our Center for Social Justice and Human Understanding (CSJHU), he is an active presenter for CSJHU and other community organizations. Chris regularly presents on social justice topics at the college and throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties to help students better understand and appreciate the complex history of the place they call home. To give you a sense of the kinds of topics Chris covers, I highlight a few of his more recent presentations below. Last October, Chris hosted a CSJHU conversation titled “The Battle for Long Island Souls and Minds: Resistance Against the Long Island Klan in the 1920s.” He reviewed the groups who were brave enough in the 1920s to stand up and speak out to challenge the KKK’s influence on their local communities, then responded to smart questions from the student audience. In October 9, 2023, Chris gave a CSJHU presentation on The Ferguson Brothers’ Lynchings on Long Island: A Civil Rights Catalyst, explaining how Charles Ferguson, a Black WWII veteran, wearing his military uniform, went to celebrate his re-enlistment with his brothers at a Freeport coffee shop on February 5, 1946, only to be denied service. The events that followed resulted in two of the Ferguson brothers’ deaths and the other two being seriously wounded—shot by a white probationary police officer who claimed the brothers were using “abusive and threatening language.” Military tribunals cleared the brothers of any blame.
In May 2023, the CSJHU was proud to post an interview with Chris as part of their By Design: A History of Oppression on Long Island video docuseries. The interview focuses on the history of the KKK on LI and showcases Chris’ expert knowledge on this topic. He has spent untold hours in the Suffolk County archives in Riverhead, sorting through paid membership receipts, illustrating just how many prominent and everyday Long Islanders were dues-paying members of the KKK. Fortunately, the video also documents active resistance against the KKK, including a rally of 40,000 in Bay Shore (verified by LIRR records). The above is just a sample of the presentations that Chris has offered the college. He is an adjunct faculty member who truly goes above and beyond in fighting for fairness and equity. Chris is a highly valued member of the board of CSJHU and a well-respected and engaging history teacher. We are thrilled that Chris was honored with this year’s FA Member Excellence Award for Social Justice and Community Outreach. Congratulations, Chris! |
