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Universities Use Webcast Technology For Spring Commencement Ceremonies

Friends and family of students graduating this spring from Johns Hopkins University, the University of Southern California, Ball State University, Ashland University, and the University of Florida will be able to watch commencement ceremonies, thanks to Sonic Foundry's webcasting platform Mediasite. The ceremonies will be available for real time and on-demand viewing.

U Florida's Brian Smith, video operations supervisor, says that streaming its commencement ceremonies via Mediasite is now integral to the university's culture. The institution plans to use Mediasite to broadcast nearly 20 ceremonies this year. The webcasting platform enables people who can't travel to the live event to still take part in the students' big day.

"Many of our graduates have family who live out of state, out of the country, or are deployed in military service," said Smith in a statement released Friday by the company. "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."

Viewers attending the live and on-demand events were able to hear commencement speeches from a number of high-profile speakers. Vice President Joe Biden's wife, Jill Biden, addressed graduates at Broward College. Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Edward O. Wilson and ESPN sports broadcaster Lee Corso spoke at Florida State University. IBM's Sam Palmisano presented the commencement address at Johns Hopkins University.

For a list of additional schools streaming their graduation ceremonies via Mediasite, visit Sonic Foundry's World of Webcast Web site.

About the Author

Kanoe Namahoe is online editor for 1105 Media's Education Group. She can be reached at [email protected].

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