Caden Ide, Guarini ’26, won the 2026 Privitera Family Distinguished Service Award. He was recognized for academic excellence, a selfless communal spirit, and outstanding leadership. During his time in the MALS program, Ide presided over both the Dartmouth Writers Society and the editorial board of Clamantis, the MALS literary journal.
What do you consider your hometown and how has it shaped who you are today?
I was originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, where I spent the first fourteen years of my life. It has lent me a sense of artistic naivety, a tendency for simple grandeur, and (hopefully) humility, all of which have come in handy as a student and in writing. My current hometown is Naples, Florida, which has given me a taste in the finer things in life, especially the sunsets.
Where did you earn your undergraduate degree and what was it in?
I received my undergraduate degree in English from Florida Gulf Coast University.
Tell us about your thesis. What is it about? What inspired you to pursue this research?
My thesis is the beginning of a novel called The Burgeoning. It depicts the formation and growth of a celestial nation that begins on the moon and expands across the solar system, told by the people living within and grappling with it.
The original inspiration was my mother, who is the founder and CEO of a life sciences company; I wanted to write a story exploring the lives of people who carry the weight of entire organizations. The story evolved with my interest in national identity (gained from MALS classes) and how one might form in a cosmic context.
The Privitera Family Distinguished Service Award recognizes both academic excellence and meaningful contributions to the MALS community. What drew you to getting involved, and what has that meant to you?
The first student organization I was part of in the MALS program was the Dartmouth Writers Society (DWS). Getting involved was a matter of wanting to get better at writing and to assist others through reading and vigorous discussion. The DWS means a great deal to me because it is centered on students’ devotion to writing and functions on trust and familiarity with each others’ work.
Beyond the DWS, I got to participate in Clamantis: The MALS Journal, and had the privilege of working with many talented students on their writing, as well as editing, formatting, and other logistical duties.
Why did you choose Dartmouth and the MALS program for your graduate degree?
I chose the MALS program because of its interdisciplinary focus. Every single class I participated in gave me some critical new interest or scholarly topic to explore and incorporate in fiction. The MALS program provided the space and inspiration to set the foundations for a life of writing.
What’s one challenge you faced in graduate school, and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part of graduate school was writing the thesis. My original conception of it changed beyond recognition, and I got through the struggle with the help of peer mentors and by a process of artistic maturation.
I came to Dartmouth wanting to be a popular fiction writer who would put out one or two books a year. The experience of writing the thesis––of working with professors and peer mentors, and listening to Providence––has set me on a much grander (and more difficult) path to write novels that sink deep into their ideas and strive for an ineffable beauty.
What’s next for you—and what are you most looking forward to in this new chapter?
I am going to continue working on my thesis novel and engaging in the research and thinking processes I practiced in the MALS program. There is a lot remaining––the thesis constitutes about 1/8th of the whole story––and I look forward to the work being fully realized. I will also be applying to writing fellowships and MFA programs.
What is your favorite place or activity that you like best in the Hanover area?
My favorite area to work on campus is the 1902 room because of the portraits. I also like to check out the books on the display counter near the Baker circulation desk that are switched every Friday.
