BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) -- One of two American journalists believed to be missing in Lebanon is from the Chicago area and is a graduate of Beloit College in Wisconsin.

The U.S. Embassy says the journalists were vacationing in Lebanon and haven't been heard from since October 1st.

An embassy statement says 27-year-old Holli Chmela and 23-year-old Taylor Luck reportedly left Beirut en route to the northern Lebanese port city of Tripoli.

A spokesman for Beloit College says Luck graduated last year. He was an international relations major who also studied Arabic and spent a semester in Jordan.

The college awarded him a grant to return to Jordan for study.

The embassy says the journalists' families are asking for the public's help.

Lebanese security officials tell The Associated Press they're searching for the pair.