E. T. York

E. Travis York Jr. (July 4, 1922 – April 15, 2011) was an American agronomist, professor, university administrator, agricultural extension administrator, and U.S. presidential adviser. He served as director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, administrator of the federal Extension Service, interim president of the University of Florida, and chancellor of the State University System of Florida.

Early life and education York was born and raised in Valley Head in northeast Alabama. After graduating from high school in 1939, he enrolled at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API) (now Auburn University) in Auburn, Alabama, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural science in 1942.

York joined the University of Florida in 1963 as vice president for agricultural affairs.

Extension service In 1959, York returned to his alma mater to succeed P.O. Davis as director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service in Auburn, Alabama. At the time of his appointment, York became the youngest person to serve as director of Alabama Extension.

Contemporary state newspapers, including the Andalusia Star-News, credited the program with expanding its economic development focus under York's leadership. He envisioned Alabama Extension as an organization committed to the economic advancement of the entire state—beyond just the farming community or urban residents seeking lawn and garden advice.

He supported cooperation with other groups, calling on extension educators to "make these other groups members of our own team rather than to compete with them by attempting to do the total job by ourselves." Perceiving the need for a highly trained and qualified staff, York developed a study program to allow extension professionals to pursue advanced degrees while earning full pay.

In 1961, at the request of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman, York took a leave of absence as director of the Alabama Extension to serve as the administrator for the federal Extension Service (now the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) in Washington, D.C.,

University administrator Instead of returning to Auburn University as planned, York accepted an offer to serve as the provost for agriculture at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Later, he also served as the university's vice president for agricultural, natural and human resources, and its executive vice president. After Robert Q. Marston was chosen as his permanent successor in 1974, York was appointed chancellor of the State University System of Florida, serving from 1975 until 1980. He was survived by Vam, his wife of 64 years, and their son Travis and daughter Lisa.