The Ohio State University, a large land-grant university dating from 1870, has changed greatly over the past 10 years. It has improved its national and international reputation according to available measures, as follows: * Shanghai Jiao Tong Index: 82nd (2003) - 62nd (2008) * U.S. News and World Report: 62nd (2005) - 56th (2009) * Times Higher Education World Ranking: 206th (2005) - 120th (2007) More importantly, and much more objectively, its attractiveness to students and to external research sponsors has increased markedly in measurable ways that will be presented. While such progress is intriguing, it is truly remarkable in view of the steadily declining state support over this period: 20% decline of funding over 20 years. A few of the major programs and drivers of this progression in the 21st century will be reviewed, and conclusions about their effectiveness drawn.