High-Tech Pomp and Circumstance: Universities Webcast Commencement Ceremonies Worldwide to Remote Audiences via Mediasite

MADISON, Wis., May 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Family and friends of graduates don't have to buy plane tickets to attend spring commencement ceremonies to take part in the festivities. More schools worldwide are opting to live stream video of ceremonies via Mediasite by Sonic Foundry, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOFO), the trusted market leader for lecture capture, enterprise and event webcasting.

Nearly two dozen schools such as Johns Hopkins University, University of Southern California, Ball State University, Ashland University and University of Florida are using Mediasite to webcast their graduation ceremonies so global audiences can watch their loved ones walk across the stage. For students whose family and friends can't travel hundreds – or even thousands of miles – this is particularly special, because now they can see them graduate in both real time and on-demand.

"Using Mediasite to webcast commencement is part of our culture. This year alone University of Florida will webcast close to 20 ceremonies for the spring, summer and fall graduates. The spring graduation ceremonies have had 5,500 live views and have been viewed 8,700 times on-demand, and that number will continue to rise," said Brian Smith, video operations supervisor for the University of Florida – Information Technology. "Many of our graduates have family who live out of state, out of the country, or are deployed in military service. Streaming our ceremonies live with Mediasite invites everyone to join in the excitement no matter where they are, and eases the financial burden on those who aren't able to travel long distances to campus. Anyone can watch live from the comfort of their homes or offices and still feel like they are sharing in the graduates' special day."

Not only did Mediasite allow the world to share in the students' special days but it also gave the public the chance to hear celebrity and high profile speakers share words of wisdom with the graduates. For example, Second Lady Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, delivered the commencement address to Broward College graduates. Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and renowned researcher Edward O. Wilson and veteran ESPN sports broadcaster Lee Corso were among the Florida State University speakers and IBM's Sam Palmisano spoke to Johns Hopkins University graduates.

"These are all examples of great programs that help to make graduation day even more special for students and their families. By offering a webcast via Mediasite, they don't have to miss out on an extremely important day, wherever they are in the world," said Sean Brown, vice president of education for Sonic Foundry. "Hats off to the class of 2012. We applaud their success and wish them best of luck in their future careers."

For a list of more schools that streamed their ceremonies via Mediasite, visit www.worldofwebcast.com/graduation.

Trusted by more than 1,000 colleges and universities, the patented Mediasite webcasting and video content management system quickly and cost-effectively automates the capture, management, delivery and search of live and on-demand streaming videos and rich media presentations that combine video with slides.

About Sonic Foundry®, Inc.
Sonic Foundry (NASDAQ: SOFO, www.sonicfoundry.com) is the trusted market leader for enterprise webcasting and lecture capture, providing video communication solutions for education, business and government. Powered by the patented Mediasite webcasting platform and Mediasite Events group, the company empowers people to transform the way they communicate online, using video webcasts to bridge time and distance, accelerate research and improve performance. Product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of Sonic Foundry, Inc. or their respective owners.

Certain statements contained in this news release regarding matters that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Because such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, uncertainties pertaining to continued market acceptance for Sonic Foundry's products, its ability to succeed in capturing significant revenues from media services and/or systems, the effect of new competitors in its market, integration of acquired business and other risk factors identified from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Press Contacts:
Tammy Jackson
608.770.9052       
[email protected]

Nicole Wise
608.237.8678
[email protected]

SOURCE Sonic Foundry, Inc.