a few years back vassar invested in a campaign to attract veterans to apply. none did, even though their education would have been fully paid for. so, the college turned to the posse foundation, which is expert at reaching non- traditional students. for 25 years, it's been sending groups-or posses-of students to elite colleges; students with academic and leadership potential who don't fit the mold. founder debbie bial thought the same model would work for veterans. >> posse is about helping the top colleges and universities think about how to build a diverse student body. how to get as rich a dialogue going on campus as they possibly can. how to create community and build bridges across the various communities on campus. it made sense to us to include a piece of our population that served the country. >> i think it's going to allow for the trajectory of my life to be more vertical, by virtue of being here. >> reporter: posse veteran michael smith, who grew up on chicago's southside, is a sophomore at wesleyan university in middletown, connecticut. that school

theater festival at vassar. of 2013. they did the first act concert style. a lot of new york theater producers go there to scout shows. every producer in the house want to invest in it. we were getting extraordinary actions. by the end of the first act almost everyone was simultaneously in tears and inspired. she said i've never kind of felt such patriotism. extraordinary capacity to connect with the audience emotionally. hasld: the residual effect been on the book. the only two authors in the last ofple of years whose books the previous decade have returned to the bestseller list lee.on and harper [applause] on sunday when the new york times book review appears the paperback will be the number one best-selling paperback in the country. that is truly extraordinary. for you questions, i will do some lightning round questions. how may times have you seen the musical? ron: i have seen about 50 times. about every it third night. sitting in the last row. he wanted reactions. i go backstage each time. to enormous thrills. enormous thrills. seeing this vivid three-

retirements, because he will still write from time to time around his new job as a journalism for vassar records university and the completing an upcoming book while embarking on other similar projects as they arise. not that for a one-time young lord. please join me and letting juan know how much we appreciate him and how much we will miss him. it is been an honor to share the same newsroom with him. again, those are the words of "daily news" editor-in-chief about jim rich about one gonzalez who is leaving the new york daily news after 29 years. congratulations for an astounding career. juan: you know it is time to leave when the people who are your bosses are telling you they were inspired to get involved in the profession because of you. i am one of these people was always believed in term limits for politicians and i think there should be term limits for columnists, and i'm way over the limit. but i will still be here on democracy now! amy: you're leaving of a gore the daily news" but i am very happy you're staying with us. we turn to an unprecedented effort to hold the united states