Get to McLanahan's early Tuesday, Playboy's public relations representative told the media -- you'll want to get pictures of the line of people waiting to meet Penn State's models in the magazine's "Girls of the Big Ten" feature.

But 15 minutes before the five featured Penn State students were scheduled to arrive at the 414 E. College Ave. student store, only Justin Carson (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) was waiting. He sat in one of the five chairs set aside for the models at the table where they would sign the pages on which they posed.

"I'll warm this seat up for her," he joked.

Then the five young women in matching black walked in, and a line 40 people deep formed as if by magic. Fans popped out from the sweatshirt racks, pulling copies of the magazine -- "Sexy College Girls Nude!" -- from their backpacks.

"Aw, I want to buy a T-shirt or something, too," one said, embarrassed.

From then on, a steady stream of fans -- mostly men -- walked in, bought magazines from the waiting racks and got their autographs from the five women. The newfound celebrities smiled readily and posed for pictures, but their laughter seemed tinged with nervousness.

"It's fun but weird," a model who goes by Kimberlee Ann (senior-public relations) said. "I never expected to be in Playboy."

All the women said they felt the same way about the signing -- "excited." And if signing next to their printed nude bodies caused them any discomfort, they hid it well, smiling again and again for each new visitor.

Their answer for the inevitable question? "Yes, our parents really supported us." That said, model Nicole Druckman (senior-human development and family studies) concedes hers didn't have to deal with full nudity; she appeared partially clothed so she could still obtain a job working with children in the future.

Many autograph-seekers said they weren't regular readers, but they've seen the magazine from time to time. Carson said he enjoyed the Big Ten issue and admired the students for coming out as amateurs.

Some came with unusual requests. "Can you put 'To the Donger?' " one customer asked. "I have a buddy back home." That wasn't a problem.

Mixed in with the crowd were a few friendly faces, coming to wish their famous friends well. Meghan Feaman (junior-public relations) came to support model Shannon Martino (senior-supply chain management).

McLanahan's ordered 2,000 copies of the October issue, which sat in the front of the store, guarded by employees. Owner Ray Agostinelli said he expected most would be sold by the end of the day, and he has the experience to know --McLanahan's has hosted Playboy promotions of this type since 1991, he said.

As time wore on, some in the crowd weren't appreciative of meeting the students in the flesh. "Are those Playboy girls?" one passerby said, dubious. "They don't look like Playboy girls."

Carson, the first fan in line, wasn't impressed, either. "A couple of them weren't up to my expectations," he said, tucking the issue into his backpack while leaving.

If the student models heard the comparisons of their physical bodies to the printed material, they gave no indication. And what's more, all said they would gladly model again.

"Thanks for looking at us," Brianna Lang (junior-biobehavioral health) told a reader. "I hope you like it."