For most Americans, the 30-foot statue of Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington D.C. is a towering reminder of a powerful civil rights leader. But, for members of the University community, the statue also stands as a reminder of their own determination.

The University’s chapter of the historically African American fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha — of which King was a member — contributed to the fundraising efforts for the recently unveilied Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial. Over the past two years, the chapter has raised about $500 toward the construction of the memorial.

Kinesiology senior Eric Poole, president of the University’s chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, said he was passionate about King’s civil rights efforts long before joining the fraternity, but felt an even stronger connection to King and the memorial after he joined because of King’s connection to Alpha Phi Alpha.

“Once I became a member of the fraternity and began to understand how (King) was involved and tied into everything, I said, ‘We have to do something to make sure that we give back to the community,’” Poole said. “This is the perfect opportunity to not only celebrate, but also to give back in a way that helps his legacy live on.”

To raise money for the memorial fund, the fraternity sponsored an annual poetry slam. Nationally, Alpha Phi Alpha has contributed $10 million of the $114 million raised to build the memorial. The memorial fund is still hoping to raise another $6 million.

The memorial was scheduled to be dedicated on Aug. 28 in Washington D.C., but the ceremony was postponed because of Hurricane Irene. Though it just opened, fundraising for the memorial has been going on for years, said Darrell Joyce, a former president of the University’s chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha and the fraternity’s current chapter advisor.

“It has been a long time coming,” Joyce said. “As soon as I was initiated, all the current chapter brothers and alumni around the area encouraged all of us to support this endeavor, and that was one of the first things I did.”

Will Atkins, the assistant director of Greek Life at the University and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, called the memorial “breathtaking,” adding that it is a clear step forward for the recognition of civil rights leaders in the country.

“I think this memorial is really a testament to the years of struggle that we have and are still continuing to overcome as African American people,” Atkins said.

King is the first African American to be honored with a memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Located near the Tidal Basin between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the monument’s design is based on a quote from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech in which he proclaimed, “Out of a mountain of despair; A stone of hope.”

The memorial — designed by sculptor Lei Yixin — features a 30-foot high depiction of King emerging with arms crossed from a piece of granite that symbolizes the “stone of hope.” Behind the statue of King are two large slabs of granite bisected by the entrance path to the memorial that represent the “mountain of despair” with the “stone of hope” cut out.

Though the memorial dedication has yet to be rescheduled, the national Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity held a dedication on the National Mall last month.

Though King is now memorialized in stone alongside other giants of American history, Joyce said he recognizes that there’s still progress to be made for civil rights in the United States.

“I know there’s still a long way for America to go,” he said. “And we finally got this memorial coming up, and it’s a very big accomplishment.”