History Built shortly after World War II, Riddick Hall, formerly known as Riddick Engineering Laboratories, is an interesting example of Art Modern design. This building and the Riddick field, stadium, and parking lot (see Riddick Stadium - now demolished) are named after Wallace Carl Riddick (1864-1942). Serving as president of NC State after D. H. Hill resigned in 1917, Riddick's administration added work to chemical, ceramics and aeronautics engineering, and developed an engineering experiment station. Riddick resigned as president in 1923 to become dean of the newly-established school of engineering, and served in this capacity until his retirement in 1937. Riddick received his A.B. degree from UNC-CH and his degree in civil engineering from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He served as a consultant for several water projects and for the Seaboard Railroad. Riddick was also a member of the Board of Visitors for the U.S. Naval Academy and of several state boards and committees. In the 1890's, he was NC State's first football coach. Riddick's daughter, Eliza was a nurse in the NC State infirmary who died as a result of caring for victims of the world-wide Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918, in which 13 students were also killed.

Riddick Hall underwent a comprehensive renovation, which completed in 2007. Construction included a complete modernization of the facility for teaching and open laboratory space. The building was vacated by the relocation of Engineering to Centennial Campus.  The building is now home to the Physics Department and to the Department of Animal Science Undergraduate Academic Programs Office. The departments of Animal Science and Physics both have classrooms and student areas in Riddick Hall.