Sonic Foundry’s Webcasting Platform Allows Universities and Their Celebrity Guests to Reach Virtual Commencement Audiences

MADISON, Wis. - Pomp and circumstance is going virtual for the next generation of graduating students as universities worldwide webcast spring commencement ceremonies via Mediasite by Sonic Foundry, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOFO), the recognized market leader for rich media webcasting and knowledge management.

More than two dozen universities are using Mediasite to webcast their commencement ceremonies so global audiences can tune in live and on-demand to see their loved ones walk the stage and hear celebrity speakers at the mic.

Seniors at Johns Hopkins University recruited William S. Nye, known as "Bill Nye the Science Guy" to speak at the commencement ceremony this week, while former U.S. President George H.W. Bush appeared at Bryant University's commencement in Rhode Island May 17 to speak and receive an honorary doctorate.

"This year, Bryant webcasted a number of significant campus events with Mediasite, culminating with commencement and former President Bush's address. We also webcasted a presentation by former President Bill Clinton earlier in the year. Using this technology allows members of the Bryant family - regardless of where they live - to stay connected to the life of the university," said Tracie Sweeney, Bryant's director of public relations.

A winter ceremony webcast via Mediasite featured British pop sensation Rhydian Roberts, 2007 runner up on American Idol of the U.K., "The X Factor." Roberts returned to his alma mater Birmingham City University to receive an honorary bachelor's degree in music January 30.

"We are honored to be able to help these distinguished universities reach wide online audiences for their commencement ceremonies," Sean Brown, Vice President of Education at Sonic Foundry. "There's a growing trend in higher education to respond to student needs and preferences. It seems these trends are converging this year in online commencement ceremonies featuring student-selected celebrity speakers."

To view these commencement ceremonies and others, visit the following links:
Bryant University http://media.bryant.edu/Mediasite/Catalog/
Johns Hopkins University http://www.jhu.edu/commencement/webcast/
Rensselaer Polytechnic http://mediasite.itops.rpi.edu/mediasite4/catalog/
USC School of Social Work http://ondemand.usc.edu/ssw/catalog/
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