UPDATE: This story was updated 11:00 PM 7/13/13 to include additional comments made to The Clarion by involved parties 

UPDATE: This story was updated 10:30 AM  7/12/2013 to reflect the announcement of the official name of the award as the “Global Service Award”

After a series of student and staff protests, the University of Denver has changed the name of an award to be presented to Former President George W. Bush at the annual Korbel Dinner this fall.

The award is now officially titled the Global Service Award.

“We are honored to present President Bush with the Global Service Award for his service to our nation, his leadership as the 43rd President of the United States, as well as his remarkable work in Africa, both during his presidency and in his post-presidency. “ the university said in a statement. It specifically cited “his efforts fighting HIV/AIDS, cervical cancer and malaria continue to improve the human condition by addressing the needs of vast populations around the globe.”

Though Korbel has changed the name of the award, many protesters have still expressed displeasure, including a newly-formed group called the “Committee to Restore Integrity to Korbel,” composed of a group of students, alumni and faculty.

“This development is mere window-dressing. It’s the idea of giving Mr. Bush any award that’s so unthinkable,” the group said in a statement to The Clarion.  “Unfortunately, the Josef Korbel School’s tradition of choosing the same person as its award winner and keynote speaker is an unwise practice that has left the selection process increasingly vulnerable to powerful partisan political and financial pressures.”

The committee is currently in the process of forming blog pages, called JosefKorbelSchool.tumblr.com and RestoreKorbel.wordpress.com, where they will post letters sent to Hill and other opinions and information regarding the award.

“When we saw he (former President Bush) was getting this award, we were all shocked because he actively worsened the human condition,” said Katie Corradini, who graduated from Korbel with an M.A. in 2011.

The dinner is an annual event hosted by Korbel to honor a high profile international figure and to raise funds for the school.

“The dinner raises significant resources for the school and its programs. The dinner includes a keynote speaker and honoree who is a high profile international figure. The school also honors an individual or individuals from Colorado who have made a global impact” the university statement read.

Many protesters, including Corradini, argue that Bush should be invited to speak, but not honored with an award. Corradini acknowledges the benefits of brining an internationally significant figure such as President Bush to campus. However, she questions the choice.

“I don’t think he should be presented with an award,” Corradini said. “However, I understand you can’t bring a big name to campus like this and not present them with an award.”

The Committee to Restore Integrity to Korbel agreed in their statement.

“Modern American presidents, Republican or Democrat, are poor candidates for humanitarian awards by the very nature and requirements of their office. None of them deserve additional accolades and glory when they leave office,” they said.

“The Josef Korbel School of International Studies is committed to serving the public good by presenting multiple points of view and promoting civil discourse among diverse individuals,” said Kim Devigil, senior director of communications.

The petition against the original award, the “Improving the Human Condition Award,” was created June 23, after the official announcement by the university that Bush would be honored at the dinner. As of Saturday, the petition has amassed 1,527 signatures.

In response to the criticism, the school removed the name “Improving the Human Condition Award” from its website July 2 to reconsider the name and focus of the award.

The Korbel dinner will take place on September 9 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.

Read the full statement submitted by the Committee to Restore Integrity to Korbel in our “Letters to the Editor” section