The history and current status of honors programs at the University of Maryland, College Park, are discussed, with some reference to special recent programming for gifted students. The following historical developments are covered: honors programs at Columbia College in the early 1900s, the idea of honors as a separate upper division program at Swarthmore College, and St. John's College's Great Books curriculum, which has similarities with honors programs. Honors programs were established at the University of Maryland during the 1950s and 1960s, and the earliest programs were conducted by departments. The environment during President Elkins' administration was an impetus for the honors program. The current impact of the University of Maryland's honors programs on the university and the general population was evaluated, based on a survey of public and private high school counselors, honors program faculty, students in departmental honors and general honors programs, and students not in an honors program. Survey results for each of these groups are presented in detail, and an ethnographic analysis of the general honors program is presented. In addition to examining characteristics of the general honors program and students enrolled in the program, admissions data for academically talented students are considered. (SW)