When Faith (Palmer ’92) North stepped onto MidAmerica Nazarene University’s campus as a student in the late 1980s, she couldn’t have imagined that one day she would return as the university’s First Lady. Yet the path that began with her own college experience—deep friendships, personal and spiritual growth, and preparation for a career in nursing—has come full circle as she and her husband, MNU President Dr. Jon North, now extend that same sense of welcome and belonging to today’s students.
Rooted in MNU
Faith grew up in Independence, Kansas, surrounded by a church community deeply connected to MNU. Her father served on the Board of Trustees, and youth trips to Olathe for events like Nazarene Night at Worlds of Fun made MNU feel like a natural choice for college. She began her studies in pre-med but soon discovered that her true calling was nursing. “What I wanted was not to be a doctor,” she recalls. “I wanted to be a nurse. I wanted that more patient, personal connection.”
Faith switched her major in her junior year and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1992. Along the way, she met Jon, who would also graduate that year. Their first conversation—at a Kansas City haunted house called “The Edge of Hell”—has become a family story. “We always joke that we met at the edge of hell, so you can only go up from there,” Faith laughs. They married shortly after graduation, beginning a partnership that now spans more than three decades of family life, professional careers, and ministry together.
A Life of Care
Faith devoted 33 years to serving women and families as a labor and delivery nurse at Shawnee Mission Medical Center (now AdventHealth Shawnee Mission). She treasures the countless moments she shared with patients during one of the most vulnerable and meaningful times of their lives. “Every birth story is unforgettable,” she reflects. “To be there—whether it’s a time of joy or a time of loss—was always such a blessing.”
Recently, Faith transitioned to a new role as a maternity navigator with the University of Kansas Health System at the Olathe OB-GYN Clinic. Now she guides women at the very beginning of their pregnancy journeys, offering education, encouragement, and support. The shift allows her to continue her life’s calling of care while balancing the responsibilities of being First Lady.
Lasting Friendships and Family Ties
One of the greatest gifts of Faith’s time at MNU has been the enduring friendships she built as a student. She and her roommates have remained close for decades, supporting each other through life’s ups and downs. A recent reunion on campus brought the six women back together, laughing and reminiscing as though no time had passed. “The lasting relationships are what I cherish most,” Faith says. “Those friendships have carried me through every season.”
Family is also central to her story. Faith and Jon’s four children—Drake (’15), Lexi (’19), Hayden (FS ’19), and Audrey (’24)—have all been connected to MNU, with several marrying fellow alumni. Today, the North family includes grandchildren as well, a new generation already experiencing the joy of MNU gatherings.
Hospitality at Heart
If there is one word that describes the North home, it is “open.” Over the past 22 years, their house has been a revolving door of family, friends, and students. From hosting youth group baptisms in their backyard pool to welcoming college students in need of temporary housing, the Norths have always seen hospitality as an extension of their faith. “It’s just who we are,” Faith explains. “We want people to feel loved and at home.”
That same spirit will shape her role as First Lady. Already, the Norths have hosted student leaders for a game night in their home, with plans to invite freshmen for similar gatherings. For Faith, the goal is simple: “I want every student who comes to MNU to feel loved and welcomed, like they’re home—and that this is a place where they can grow in their relationship with Christ.”
A Warm Beginning
Though Faith describes herself as an introvert who has to work at meeting new people, her warmth and genuine care shine through in every interaction. Whether by remembering a student’s story, offering encouragement at a campus concert or game, or opening her home for fellowship, she is committed to serving alongside her husband in ways that make students feel seen and valued.
As Faith steps into her new role, she carries with her the best of what MNU has given her—friendship, spiritual growth, and a deep sense of community. Now, she offers those same gifts back, ensuring that today’s students know they are loved, supported, and at home at MNU.
Read more about the Norths in the Fall 2025 issue of Accent magazine.
