What began as an effort to change the image of the self-avowed nerds of the Linux Users Group (LUG) at Washington State University has evolved nearly overnight into a fundraiser for something much larger.

The LUG's nerd auction, Nerdy and the Greek, has attracted international media attention and the project has grown so quickly that proceeds are likely to add up to figures significantly beyond the original $1,000 expected. Proceeds will be used to establish the LUG endowment for Women in Computer Science, including scholarships for women to attend the WSU School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Several nerds from the LUG will hand themselves over to the women from WSU sororities for a complete makeover, including hair and clothes. The newly fashioned nerds will then be auctioned off to the general public, for homework help, computer help, or a dinner date. The makeovers will be filmed and shown at the dinner and auction.