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

2008 Commencements via Mediasite Feature Speakers Bill Nye 'The Science Guy,' George H.W. Bush and British Pop Star Rhydian

MADISON, Wis., May 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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/
Saint Leo http://www.sonicfoundry.com/saint_leo
Northwood http://www.sonicfoundry.com/northwood
Buffalo State http://www.sonicfoundry.com/buffalo_state

About Sonic Foundry(R), Inc.

Founded in 1991, Sonic Foundry (NASDAQ:SOFO)(NASDAQ:http://www.sonicfoundry.com) is the recognized market leader for rich media webcasting and knowledge management, providing education and training solutions and services that link an information-driven world. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, the company has received numerous awards including the 2007 Frost & Sullivan Global Market Leadership Award, Ziff Davis Media's Baseline Magazine's sixth fastest-growing software company with sales under $150 million and Deloitte's Technology Fast 500. Named a Bersin & Associates 2007 Learning Leader, Sonic Foundry's webcasting and knowledge management solutions are trusted by education institutions, Fortune 500 companies and government agencies for a variety of critical communication needs. Sonic Foundry is changing the way organizations communicate via the web and how people around the globe receive vital information needed for education, business, professional advancement and safety. 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.

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Source: Sonic Foundry, Inc.

CONTACT: Tammy Kramer of Sonic Foundry, Inc., +1-608-237-8592,
tammyk@sonicfoundry.com

Web site: http://www.sonicfoundry.com/

2008-05-29 10:37:08 0372741 PRNEWSWIRE