GREENVILLE -- Thiel College was recently awarded a $5,000 National College Athletic Association (NCAA) initiative grant that will bring John Artis, who was falsely convicted of a triple murder with Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, to the campus this week.

"Caught in the Eye of the Hurricane" is a week-long series of diversity programming featuring Artis and his outreach accomplishments.

In 1966, a 19-year-old Artis, who was preparing to attend college on a track scholarship, was arrested with Carter, a renowned New Jersey boxer, for a triple-murder. Artis was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

After serving 15 years in prison, he was exonerated and now lives in Virginia and works with troubled youth.

"The week's events center not only on one tragic night in the life of John Artis, but instead on the accomplishments he continues to achieve and his outreach efforts," said Clyde Morgan, assistant coordinator for multicultural affairs.

Artis' outreach efforts did not begin after he released from prison. While imprisoned, taught GED classes, was vice president of the Lifer's Group, the group which originated the "Scared Straight" documentary, and served as the prison branch of the junior chamber of commerce.

Artis also secured the release of hostages during the 1971 Thanksgiving Day Riot at Rahway State Prison.

Events scheduled at Thiel for the week of diversity programming include:

   » Sunday: The movie "Hurricane" will be shown at 8 p.m. Friday and again at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the Bly Lecture Hall of the Academic Center. Free and open to the public.

   » Wednesday: Following a dinner with student leaders, a dialogue between Artis and members of the community will be held.

Community members will be given the opportunity for discussion and interaction with Artis. The event will be held at 8 p.m. in the William A. Passavant Memorial Center on the college campus. Free and open to the public.

   » Thursday: Artis will speak to students in the college's criminal justice class. The NCAA offers annual grants to Division III schools that support the education and professional development of students, faculty, staff and administration. Student-- athlete welfare issues, membership education of campus leaders and diversity are the targeted areas of interest.