Bethany Lutheran College (BLC), is a private residential liberal arts college founded in 1927. BLC is a Christian coeducational college operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The campus of BLC overlooks the Minnesota River valley in Mankato, Minnesota, a community of about 50,000. Bethany Ladies College opened in 1911 with 44 students and a faculty of four. In 1927, the Norwegian Synod of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church (now known as the Evangelical Lutheran Synod) purchased the campus for dual use as both a high school (Bethany Lutheran High School; closed in 1969) and junior college (Bethany Lutheran College). In 1946 Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary (BLTS) began as a department of the college; in 1975 it became a separate institution. In 2001 Bethany awarded its first baccalaureate degrees, completing a five year transition from its 74-year history as a junior college. Students have the opportunity to participate in various activities on campus. The Vikings are members of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference in the NCAA Division III.