Hopkins hottie is BME by day, Cosmopolitan centerfold by night

After a draining day of Hopkins-style learning, you take a break from reading that seeks to teach you something useful. You pick up this month's Cosmopolitan magazine, one who's cover, in addition to featuring information about "How to Satisfy the Naughty Male Needs Most Women Ignore," promises lustful excitement from a 69-page "All About Men Section." Fair enough, you decide, flipping to this year's "Stud Showcase." Here ("for your viewing pleasure" of course,) you are presented with "the hottest, most love-hungry hunks from all 50 states." And on page 66, you'll find Maryland's representative, a student at none other than JHU.

Nick Quercetti, a 21-year-old senior from Kennett Square, Pa. with no modeling experience, was quite surprised when he learned that he was Cosmo's Maryland selection. Last April, when the magazine called for nominations for its yearly feature, a girl that often came tothe beach club where Nick worked asked if she could send in some pictures of him. He consented, not expecting much. However, a call of congratulations came in June and the muscular Blue Jays outside linebacker was soon on his way to Long Island for a photo shot and an interview by a Cosmo editor over the phone.

Since Hopkins is not an institution known for its beautiful or fun-loving student body, Cosmo's selection may be viewed as ironic...and Nick's biomedical engineering major only adds to the novelty. But perhaps expectedly, "Mr. Maryland" does not see himself as the stereotypical, studious BME. "I'd say 99 percent of engineers do fall into that stereotype. I've always stuck out like a sore thumb in BME," he said.

"Like if I didn't play football I probably never would have come here." Still, Nick has found his academic and social niches at Hopkins, spending the majority of his time focused on athletics and his rigorous major.

In addition to his interview and picture session, Nick was also required by Cosmo to set up an email account, which would be published along with the feature. The account will serve as a way for readers to contact him (as many have done already) and a means for interested agencies to reach him as well. And since the soon-to-be grad doesn't have definitive plans for the future (maybe med school, maybe a year off), the modeling avenue may be a possibility.

Nick does not feel that this newfound and unexpected stardom has changed him. "Basically I thought it was hilarious," he said. "I had a great time with it." And he senses that these sentiments are shared by his family, who feel the experience was "unreal" and by his friends, who "think it's awesome." The friend who nominated him is quoted in feature and was especially enthusiastic about the selection. "The first time I laid eyes on Nick, I suffered from lockjaw because he was so stunning," she told the magazine. "But after talking to him, I discovered that he has more going for him than looks. I had to share this total package with Cosmo."

Therefore, Hopkins girls, beware. In addition to divulging that this college student (a Cancer) is "a touchy-feely kind of guy," who "goes wild" if a girl touches his arm or hair, the feature stresses that Nick, along with the 50 other winning "hunks," is currently available. He told the News-Letter that he goes for the down to earth, yet spontaneous type. For Hopkins girls who think they might want a shot with this celebrity among us, Nick said he's approachable. "If you wanna come talk to me, come talk.