Lauren Givins, BS ’21, is a safety engineer on an extended assignment at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica.
She is the first “Polar Bear” to call the South Pole home—unlike the real ones, who stick to the Arctic!
Since 1959, fewer than 2,000 people have spent the winter season at the South Pole—and now Lauren is a member of this exclusive group.
“Some days, when I’m walking outside, it brings me back to my days of walking across the Tundra at ONU.” But, as unbelievable as it may seem to ONU students, she added, “it’s actually much, much colder” at the South Pole.
Lauren works for a subcontractor of the United States Antarctic Program, which is operated by NSF. She supports the critical work of U.S. scientists studying climate change, deep space, and more.
“The South Pole has some of the darkest skies and cleanest air in the world,” she said. “While I’m still learning about the science side of things, I know it’s important work to collect data that is used all over the world. The South Pole Telescope, for example, helped capture the first-ever image of a black hole.”
Lauren majored in construction management at ONU and loved both her classes and the people. Inspired by her older sister—who also works in construction management—she set out to make her mark in a male-dominated industry.
At the NSF South Pole Station, her role is to oversee equipment and permits, ensuring the safety of all projects and workers. With brutal temperatures and no naturally occurring life, the environment is as extreme as it gets.
“When you are dealing with these harsh conditions, things are constantly breaking so maintenance is super important,” she explained.
This winter season, 42 people are stationed at the South Pole, and Lauren is enjoying the close-knit community. From physicists to galley workers, everyone plays a role in keeping the station running.
“We all live and work together, so it’s similar to a college situation. But there are folks from all walks of life. The people make the whole experience worth it.”
Getting to the South Pole wasn’t easy. It took months of paperwork, an extensive background check, and rigorous medical examination before Lauren was cleared for duty. But beyond logistics, it also required an adventurous spirit and a willingness to embrace the unknown—qualities Lauren possesses in abundance.
Her philosophy? “There’s a whole world out there, so don’t be afraid to travel to the ends of the earth to find an opportunity that makes you happy.”
