Models, actresses . . . and one dashing University professor

When Maxim needs a hot new model, it knows exactly where to look: the University's English Department.

And that's just what the men's magazine did when it contacted professor John Fleming to pose as the centerpiece of the September issue's "Rebellious Behavior" photo series.

The photo editorial opened with a shot of a decked-out and smoothly coifed Fleming seated at an East Pyne desk, surrounded by three pierced and tattooed youths in designer punk clothing. Fleming himself wore a three-piece wool suit ($1,150) by Polo by Ralph Lauren, a cashmere/mink vest ($795) by Estate by Robert Talbott, a hand-sewn silk bow tie ($75) by Best of Class by Robert Talbott and platinum-wire glasses ($485) by Lunor for Robert Marc Opticians.

Though he tried on more than 20 different suit-and-tie combinations for more than 100 photographs, Fleming insists that it was his charming demeanor — and not just his striking good looks — that won over the Maxim editors.

"I'd never heard of Maxim magazine before they called," he said. "They said they were looking for the most 'professorial' person they could find. My idea was that they were really looking for 'squarest.' "

After the shoot, Fleming was treated to an elaborately catered lunch and conversation with the three younger models about the industry.

The Maxim gig may have been Fleming's first ever modeling shoot, but he hopes it will not be his last — even if the notion of posing in the same magazine as scantily-clad women seems beneath the dignity of one of the world's most famous medievalists.

"Get real," Fleming said. "I presume you know about faculty salaries? Most of us are forced into 'night jobs' of one kind or another.

"The engineers and economists become consultants to business and industry," he continued. "The Woody Woo types write speeches for lame politicians or moonlight as talking heads on dumb TV shows.

"Unfortunately, a culture which places a greater value on terrific buns than on terrific ideas leaves a humanist like me with few options. So yes, I plan to continue to exploit my bod. If you got it, flaunt it."