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William Craig Fromme graduated from the University of Delaware in 1975 with a degree in political science. Fromme, who goes by “Craig," worked for the State of Delaware's Youth Rehabilitation Services as a juvenile probation officer for 30 years, until his retirement in 2013. His work involved both accountability and rehabilitation, both surveillance and rapport building. He helped the juveniles he supervised navigate issues including housing, poverty, substance abuse, and family relationships, in addition to their court orders.
Michael K. Newell, Chief Judge of the Family Court for the State of Delaware, noted in his letter of support that: “The youth that he has served have benefitted from his straightforward approach to holding them accountable while at the same time employing compassion and support to set them up for success. Newell goes on to note that “it would be hard to quantify the cost savings that Mr. Fromme's services have provided to our state."
Fromme's wife, Sue, who is a 1976 UD graduate, also worked in the field of juvenile probation. Together, they were a dynamic duo, playing an integral role in a field experience program for criminal justice majors which places UD undergraduates in justice- and law-related internships. For 18 years, the couple supervised and mentored more than 150 interns from UD, teaching them professional skills and fostering their commitment to public service. Nearly 50 of their former interns obtained their first jobs out of college in youth rehabilitative services, family services, or another Delaware state agency, largely due to the Frommes' tutelage and advocacy.
Fromme's contributions have been immeasurable; he has given back to his alma mater by taking multiple generations of undergraduates under his wing. As Eric Rise, interim chair of UD's Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, observed, “His efforts exemplify the mutually beneficial relationship between the University and the community, as well as the positive contributions that our alumni make."
