Daniels Hall was built in 1926 as the Electrical Engineering-Physics Building. It is named after Josephus Daniels, who, as a member of the Watauga Club (Watauga Hall), contributed to the founding of the... Daniels Hall was built in 1926 as the Electrical Engineering-Physics Building. It is named after Josephus Daniels, who, as a member of the Watauga Club (Watauga Hall), contributed to the founding of the university and, through his position as editor of the Raleigh News and Observer, influenced political affairs in North Carolina. Daniels also served as secretary of the navy during World War I and was appointed U.S. ambassador to Mexico by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.