Representing his community and keeping God at his forefront, Earl Hankerson IV has accomplished many things in his time at FAMU. Hankerson is a fourth-year food science scholar within the College of Agriculture and Food Science from Tallahassee, Florida.
Hankerson’s journey began on the baseball field. He initially planned to major in sports medicine to complement his love for the game, but when that program was unavailable at FAMU, he shifted his focus to food science.
“Nothing has made me regret that decision, not one bit,” Hankerson said.
This second-generation rattler aims to continue making headway within CAFS and around campus. He proudly serves as Mr. College of Agriculture & Food Science, Vice President of the CAFS Ambassador Program, Parliamentarian & Chaplain of the Alpha Xi chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, and 2023 initiate of the Big Brother Little Brother Mentorship Program.
“I feel like I make a big difference within my frat due to me speaking out and voicing opinions while also spreading God’s word,” Hankerson said.
Although stepping out of his comfort zone did not come easy for him, he believes that with hard work, dedication, and faith, he can establish himself as one of FAMU’s top scholars and standouts.
“Always do the right thing but still put in the work when no one is looking,” Hankerson said.
Being named FAMU’s Finest is no small achievement for Hankerson. He also takes pride in securing his first internship this past summer at the University of Georgia. Looking ahead, his ultimate goal is to become the nation’s leading Black nutritionist while continuing to demonstrate excellence both on and off campus.
“You can only control what you can control,” Hankerson said. “I’m always ready to gain any type of knowledge and be coachable at the end of the day.”
The same intentionality he brings to his goals also influences how he navigates romance and personal connections. He looks to surround himself with honest people who have God at their center and don’t hesitate to help others.
“Honesty goes a long way,” Hankerson said. “If you’re honest at the end of the day, a person can only respect that.”
