Graduating chemistry students at East Carolina University are allowed to thank God publicly after all. Their right to do so is protected under the First Amendment—despite the wishes of Assistant Professor Eli Hvastkovs.

Last year, Hvastkovs apparently was troubled by students who mentioned God during the chemistry department’s recognition event. So in advance of graduation this year, the assistant professor opted to nip all this God talk in the bud.

“I’ve had some submissions that needed to be edited, so here are some guidelines,” he wrote in an email to chemistry students. “You can’t thank God. I’m sorry about this—and I don’t want to have to outline the reasons why.”

He later defended the email. “It’s not a religious ceremony,” Hvastkovs told Campus Reform regarding the recognition event. “It’s purely educational.”

However, East Carolina University felt differently. The university distanced itself from Hvastkovs’ email, and the school’s provost, Dr. Marilyn Sheerer, told students they were welcome to thank God (or any other deity) if they so chose.

“These statements can be your personal expressions and as such the University will only limit these expressions, as permitted by applicable First Amendment law,” she wrote. (Fox News)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Wendy, and his two children. Follow him on Twitter.