Students looking forward to a class with popular philosophy, politics and law professor John Arthur were disappointed last week when he announced he had developed lung cancer and would not be teaching this semester.

Arthur, who is also the director of Binghamton’s philosophy, politics and law (PPL) program, was diagnosed with lung cancer while vacationing in Colorado over the break.

“As of now I feel pretty good, though I really have no idea what the future will hold,” Arthur wrote in an e-mail to his students and colleagues. “But it’s clear to me that I won’t be able to teach my regular classes this semester, which makes me very sad.”

Arthur was scheduled to teach PHIL 345: Philosophy of Law, which will now be taught by Howard Engelskirchen, an adjunct lecturer in the philosophy department.

The 400-level seminar that Arthur was also scheduled to teach by Arthur has been cancelled, with enrolled seniors receiving priority placement in other seminars. According to Steven Scalet, associate director of the PPL program, the cancelled seminar hasn’t created any major problems for students.

“I’m not anticipating a problem,” Scalet said. “It seems like everyone’s cooperating. It’ll be made to work out one way or the other.”

According to the message he sent to his students via e-mail, Arthur is currently in Binghamton, receiving treatment and concentrating on healing.

While plans for the future have to be determined, Arthur is hoping to return to teaching as soon as possible and said he plans to “participate in things as time and energy permit.”

His colleagues in the PPL department are also hoping for a swift recovery for Arthur, whom Scalet described as “the core of the PPL program.”

“We’re all still trying to absorb this and wishing our best for our dear friend and colleague,” he said.

Arthur has won multiple awards for excellence in teaching, including the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Service for Students with Disabilities Certificate of Appreciation. He is considered by many students to be one of BU’s best professors.

“He’s really easy to talk to in office hours. He’s always very approachable and helpful,” said freshman Daniela Sorokko, who took PHIL 146 with Arthur last semester.

Andrew Egan, a junior english and philosophy major who also took PHIL 146 with Arthur, feels his unbiased teaching methods are a large part of his popularity.

“I always noticed how fairly he treats even the most controversial issues,” he said. “His primary goal is to give students the tools to decide for themselves and to be as well informed as possible.”