Davidson President Tom Ross (red tie) and wife Susan (right) greet parents of incoming students at a reception Friday morning. (Bill Giduz photo)

Davidson College first-year students and their parents in town for orientation this week had to be feeling pretty good about their choice of a college on Friday morning.

The 2009 U.S. News & World Report college rankings were out, and Davidson ranked No. 9 among U.S. liberal arts colleges. The 1,674-student school also came in No. 1 in the magazine’s related ranking of “Up and Coming Liberal Arts Colleges.” The rankings were posted on the US News website today; the print magazine is expected on newsstands Monday.

US News cited Davidson for “an award-winning faculty, exceptional student profile, competitive Division I athletics, top national academic rankings, vital honor code,” and a high rate of alumni giving. Also noted were close student-faculty interaction and study abroad opportunities.

The magazine also noted Davidson’s location in “a picturesque college town in the temperate piedmont region near metropolitan Charlotte, N.C.”

A Davidson College spokesman said this morning the college does not plan to comment on the rankings.

FRESHMEN ARRIVE

The new rankings come as a crop of 483 freshman arrives on campus this week for orientation activities. Students began moving in Wednesday evening, and attended a convocation with President Tom Ross on Thursday

At noon today (Friday), that crowd on the lawn in front of Chambers Hall will be a “farewell lunch,” as parents depart and leave students to orientation activities. More about the incoming class and activities on the college Website.

BAKE FOR THE CAKE RACE

Meanwhile, community members are invited to bake cakes for the annual freshman Cake Race, Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. The race is an annual tradition originally designed to identify potential runners for track and cross country. Now it’s a chance for students to share an athletic activity and win cakes baked by local residents.