RELEASED: Jan. 23, 2003

DANVILLE, KY—Given the chance to take a vacation in the middle of January, many would decide to hit the beach or to find a place to go skiing. Centre's Rick Axtell, however, left Jan. 15 on a more significant trip.

Axtell, assistant professor of religion and college chaplain, joins 28 other Americans traveling to Colombia. They're concerned with the effects of U.S. policy in the South American country.

"I don't believe the American people have a full understanding of the effects of our policy in Colombia," Axtell says.

The delegation was organized jointly by the human rights organizations Witness for Peace and Global Exchange.

Along with others from the group, Axtell will travel to Medellin to meet with labor groups, teachers and women's groups that have been significantly affected by the political unrest and violence in the region.

Axtell is a member of the National Board of Directors of Witness for Peace and has led WFP delegations to Cuba, Nicaragua and Mexico with Centre students. He's worked in Bangladesh and studied liberation theology, human rights, and economic development in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Axtell holds a bachelor of arts degree from Mississippi College. He earned a master of divinity degree and a doctorate from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he has completed other advanced studies at the University of Notre Dame.

While teaching and working in Louisville, Axtell was honored as Teacher of the Year at Bellarmine College and selected Metro Louisville Hunger Activist of the Year.

Witness for Peace is a grassroots, non-violent faith and conscience-based organization. Axtell has served on its board of directors for five years.

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