Portland, OR – Governor Kitzhaber recently announced his appointments to the Early Learning Council. As a member of the Early Learning Council, Paz Ramos is in a unique position to align statewide early childhood initiatives with on-the ground programming at Alder Elementary, the K-5 school recently adopted by “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon.

“We are so proud and energized by Governor Kitzhaber’s appointment of Paz to the Early Learning Council,” says Mark Langseth, President and CEO of “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon. “His contributions on the Council will only further what we’re trying to achieve at the Dreamer School.”

“I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon was founded in 1990 to help low income children reach success in school and college. The organization delivers a proven combination of core services to students: long-term relationships with caring adults, academic and personal/social support services, and creating a “culture of college” within schools and the students’ families.

In 2010, “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon established the first “Dreamer School” in the nation at Alder Elementary. This development will expand the Foundation’s impact from 300 to 3,000 kids per year, all within this decade. Alder has one of the highest poverty rates of any school in the state. “I Have a Dream” is partnering with over a dozen other non-profit organizations to transform the lives of every student in this school.

“I believe very deeply that we can change the path for these kids by providing long-term, wraparound services,” says Paz Ramos. Reaching kids early, promoting kindergarten readiness and critical family support is essential for long-term educational success. Through this council work, Mr. Ramos is in a unique position to simultaneously help shape state policy and to implement the Governor’s broader cradle-to-college vision on the ground at Alder.

The nine members to the Early Learning Council are:
Chair: Richard C. “Dick” Alexander (West Linn)
Pam Curtis, MS (Portland)
Teri Thalhofer, RN (The Dalles)
Charles McGee (Portland)
Bobbie Weber, PhD (Corvallis)
Norm Smith (Portland)
Paz Ramos (Gresham)
Janet Dougherty-Smith (Portland)
Dick Withnell (Keizer)

Information about the Dreamer School, “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon and Paz Ramos can be found at the “I Have a Dream” website (http://www.ihaveadreamoregon.org).

The Early Learning Council will be responsible for implementing the framework developed by the Early Learning Design Team to ensure all children are ready to learn when they enter kindergarten.

Huey Lewis will headline Regence Pro-Am celebrity participants

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 6, 2011) – Peter Jacobsen SPORTS today announced that 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup Team Captain Tom Lehman and two-time PGA TOUR Major Champion Mark O’Meara have officially committed to the upcoming Umpqua Bank Challenge. The inaugural event will be held August 28-30 at Portland Golf Club.

“I’m so excited that Tom Lehman and Mark O’Meara will be playing in the Umpqua Bank Challenge,” said Tournament Host Peter Jacobsen. “They are both great players and ambassadors of the game, and, as former Challenge participants, are long-time supporters of the community.”

During his 29-year career on the PGA TOUR, Lehman has captured five PGA TOUR victories, including the 1996 British Open Championship, and five Champions Tour victories, including the 2010 Senior PGA Championship and 2011 Regions Tradition. With three wins so far this year and seven top-10 finishes in 11 starts, Lehman currently sits in first place on the 2011 Champions Tour Official Money List.

O’Meara’s professional victories span 26 years, and include three major championships; the 1998 Masters Tournament and British Open Championship and the 2010 Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship. O’Meara is also a two-time former Challenge winner, earning the title in 1994 and 2000, both times with John Cook as his partner.

Lehman and O’Meara are joining John Cook, Ben Crenshaw, Jay Haas, Peter Jacobsen, Bernhard Langer, Arnold Palmer and Fuzzy Zoeller as members of the tournament’s main field.

Regence Pro-Am
Huey Lewis, lead singer and front man of rock group Huey Lewis and the News, will join NBA and NFL stars as members of Sunday’s Regence Pro-Am field. A staple of former Challenge pro-am’s, the celebrities will participate in Peter’s infamous golf clinic on Sunday morning and will play with amateur groups in the pro-am championship that afternoon. Celebrities set to appear are:

•  Brian Grant; A member of the Portland Trail Blazers from 1997-2000, Grant enjoyed a 12-year career in the NBA before retiring in 2006.

•  Joey Harrington; A Portland-native, Harrington played college football at the University of Oregon before being drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2002. He has since played for the Lions, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.

•  Huey Lewis; Lead singer of the two-time Grammy-winning band Huey Lewis and the News. During the 80s and 90s, the group scored 19 top-ten singles across the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary and Mainstream Rock Charts. Lewis has made several cameo appearances in blockbuster movies and on television. In 2006 he made his Broadway debut playing Billy Flynn in Chicago.

•  Terry Porter; A fan-favorite and member of the Portland Trail Blazers from 1985-1995. After retiring from the NBA, he spent six years coaching, most notably for the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. Porter is currently a member of the Trail Blazers television broadcasting team.

•  Detlef Schrempf; Originally from Germany, Schrempf enjoyed a 16-year NBA career, playing for the Portland Trail Blazers from 1999-2001.

Junior Clinic presented by NIKE Golf
The Umpqua Bank Challenge Junior Clinic presented by NIKE Golf will take place on July 13 from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. The day will feature a golf clinic hosted by Peter Jacobsen and NIKE Golf product demos. A goody bag and free lunch will be provided to the first 500 kids. The clinic is free and open to the public. Parents are encouraged to register their children aged 6-14 in advance at www.umpquabankchallenge.com.

Tickets
Tickets for the 2011 Umpqua Bank Challenge are on sale now, with prices starting at just $20. Public parking is extremely limited, so please reserve space early online. For the most up-to-date tournament information and news visit www.umpquabankchallenge.com or call (866) 503-2003.

About The Umpqua Bank Challenge
The Umpqua Bank Challenge, <http://www.umpquabankchallenge.com>, is a three-day exhibition-style golf tournament set for August 28-30, 2011 at Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore. The Umpqua Bank Challenge will include The Regence Pro-am on Sunday and the main field competition on Monday and Tuesday, where twelve PGA TOUR professionals will pair into six two-person teams and play for a purse. Hosted by PGA TOUR professional and Portland-native Peter Jacobsen, proceeds from The Umpqua Bank Challenge will benefit the tournament’s two partner charities; The Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and the “I Have a Dream” Foundation-Oregon.

About Peter Jacobsen SPORTS
Founded in 1988, Peter Jacobsen SPORTS, LLC, <http://www.peterjacobsensports.com>, is a full-service sports and entertainment marketing firm that specializes in event sales, management and operations, sponsorship consulting and player/talent relations. The company is independently owned and has more than 20 full-time employees across three offices – Portland, Ore., Bonita Springs, Fla., and Providence, R.I. Since its inception, PJS has managed more than 250 events around the United States.

About Umpqua Bank
Umpqua Bank, <http://www.umpquabank.com>, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: UMPQ) and has 184 locations between San Francisco and Seattle, along the Oregon and Northern California Coast, and in Central Oregon and Northern Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for the past five years in a row on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the country’s “100 Best Companies To Work For.” Umpqua Holdings also owns a retail brokerage subsidiary, Umpqua Investments Inc., which offers services through

Umpqua Bank stores and in dedicated offices throughout Oregon. Umpqua’s Private Bank Division serves high net worth individuals and non-profits providing customized financial solutions and offerings. Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit http://www.umpquabank.com.

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CONTACT:

Amy Biery
Director of Communications
Peter Jacobsen SPORTS
503-526-9331
amy.biery@peterjacobsensports.com

Organization fulfills tournament mission to support youth-based non-profits

PORTLAND, Ore. (April 14, 2011) – The Umpqua Bank Challenge today announced that the “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon, <http://www.ihaveadreamoregon.org>, has been selected as the second official partner charity of the event. “I Have a Dream” joins The Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, which was chosen as a partner of the tournament when it was first announced in November 2010. Established in 1990, the “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon focuses on helping low-income kids reach success in school and college. “I Have a Dream” supports students at an early age, providing them with long-term relationships with caring adults, academic and personal/social support services and by creating a “culture of college” within schools and the students’ families. In 2010, “I Have a Dream” established the first “Dreamer School” in the nation, Alder Elementary, which will extend the impact from 300 to 3,000 kids per year.

“Supporting children’s education is extremely important to me and to the overall mission of The Umpqua Bank Challenge,” said Tournament Host Peter Jacobsen. “The “I Have a Dream” Foundation is a great organization and I am proud that this tournament will be able to help them make a positive impact on Oregon’s low-income students and families.”

For the most up-to-date tournament information and news, including details on volunteering, ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.umpquabankchallenge.com or call (866) 503-2003.

About The Umpqua Bank Challenge

The Umpqua Bank Challenge, <http://www.umpquabankchallenge.com>, is a three-day exhibition-style golf tournament set for August 28-30, 2011 at Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore. The tournament will feature a Sunday pro-am and a Monday/Tuesday main field event with sixteen PGA TOUR professionals paired into two-person teams playing for a $750,000 purse. Hosted by PGA TOUR professional and Portland-native Peter Jacobsen, proceeds from The Umpqua Bank Challenge will benefit the tournament’s two partner charities; The Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and the “I Have a Dream” Foundation-Oregon.

About Peter Jacobsen SPORTS

Founded in 1988, Peter Jacobsen SPORTS, LLC, <http://www.peterjacobsensports.com>, is a full-service sports and entertainment marketing firm that specializes in event sales, management and operations, sponsorship consulting and player/talent relations. The company is independently owned and has more than 20 full-time employees across three offices – Portland, Ore., Bonita Springs, Fla., and Providence, R.I. Since its inception, PJS has managed more than 250 events around the United States.

About Umpqua Bank

Umpqua Bank, <http://www.umpquabank.com>, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: UMPQ) and has 184 locations between San Francisco and Seattle, along the Oregon and Northern California Coast, and in Central Oregon and Northern Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for the past five years in a row on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the country’s “100 Best Companies To Work For.” Umpqua Holdings also owns a retail brokerage subsidiary, Umpqua Investments Inc., which offers services through Umpqua Bank stores and in dedicated offices throughout Oregon. Umpqua’s Private Bank Division serves high net worth individuals and nonprofits providing customized financial solutions and offerings. Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit http://www.umpquabank.com.

April 4, 2011 – The James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation recently awarded a grant of $1,000,000 to “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon, for the new Dreamer School program at Alder Elementary School. This program is the first of its kind in the nation. Building on the organization’s past success, which includes doubling or better high school graduation rates for students, this bold new initiative will expand the group’s impact from 900 to over 3,000 children per year within the next decade.

“We are very pleased to support this innovative project. The Dreamer School is an excellent fit with our goal of raising student achievement. The Alder school Principal and staff impressed us with their commitment ” said Charles Putney, President of the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation.

“We at ‘I Have a Dream’ are absolutely thrilled to be chosen to receive this $1 million grant in support of the Dreamer School,” said Mark Langseth, “I Have a Dream” Oregon’s President and CEO. “This represents a huge vote of confidence for the Dreamer School model from a leading Oregon foundation.”

The Miller $1 million gift will serve as a challenge to leverage new and increased support for the Dreamer School over the next five years. This gift sets in motion an opportunity to innovate in education and enhance the lives of hundreds of youth.

“I Have a Dream” has been catching the attention of other influential organizations as well.  The Silver Family Foundation recently awarded “I Have a Dream” with a $150,000 grant. In addition, the Oregon Community Foundation, Rose Tucker Charitable Trust and USA Funds have all made lead gifts to this project.

Alder Elementary, the Dreamer School, is ranked as one of the most poverty stricken schools in the state of Oregon with over 93% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch costs. Alder is located in the Reynolds School District. Statistically, it is expected that approximately 10% of Alder students will finish with a post-secondary degree or certificate and only one half of Alder students are meeting statewide benchmark tests in reading and math. “I Have a Dream” plans to increase these numbers to 80% of Alder students receiving a post-secondary degree/certificate and 90% meeting the benchmark tests by providing a proven combination of services.

“We will create a “culture” of college and career within the schools and students’ families, provide academic and personal support services in a community of teachers, administrators and mentors that contribute to academic success,” states Dreamer School Director, Traci Rossi. “This is part of our ‘cradle-to-career’ continuum that will allow the school to serve as a powerful hub for neighborhood stability and educational change.”

In order to deliver quality services in an efficient manner, “I Have a Dream” is collaborating with other education and nonprofit partners, leveraging resources through an innovative shared cost model which focuses on student achievement and student success.

ABOUT “I HAVE A DREAM” FOUNDATION – OREGON

“I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon was founded in 1990 to help low income kids reach success in school and college. The organization has been accomplishing this mission by delivering a proven combination of core services to students: long term relationships with caring adults, academic and personal/social support services, and creating a “culture of college” within schools and students’ families.

Since 1990, ten entire 3^rd grade classes have been “adopted” with supportive services to help succeed through college. Nearly 900 students have benefited from “I Have a Dream” Foundation programs in Oregon through this model. In 2010, the nation’s first “Dreamer School” was established.

ABOUT THE JAMES F. AND MARION L. MILLER FOUNDATION

The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, an independent private foundation, was established in 2002 to enhance the quality of life of Oregonians through support of the Arts and Education.