Welch Hall, built in 1926 and renovated in 1991, is named after Cleveland D. Welch. Welch, who studied electrical engineering at NC State, was a successful student athlete and excelled in football, track... Welch Hall, built in 1926 and renovated in 1991, is named after Cleveland D. Welch. Welch, who studied electrical engineering at NC State, was a successful student athlete and excelled in football, track and baseball. He stayed at NC State for two years after graduation to coach baseball. Starting in 1905, he was working for Loray Cotton Mills in Gastonia, and in 1910, he moved to Cramerton Textile Mills where he served as vice president for the remainder of his career.