At Boston University students and administrators joined together – albeit in small numbers – to kickoff a weeklong celebration in honor President Robert Brown’s inauguration as the 10th president of BU.

A collaboration between the inauguration committee, BU Central, the Student Union and Brown himself, the opening event consisted of performances by artists, including Matt Nathanson, Youth Group, Little Brother and The Brakes. Students also performed, including comedian Myq Kaplan, spoken word group Speak For Yourself and dance group The Edge.

Staffed by members of various organizations, Ballyhoo, meaning “big festivity,” provided students with four hours of music and performances, as well as free drinks, ice cream, candy and popcorn.

Brown said he hopes events like this can bring students together across their individual schools, creating a sense of community among the 18,000 undergraduates.

“I wanted to be a part of something with the community,” he said. “I wanted to figure out how to build more community … to have students think about the image of BU.

“I want students to think about what kind of university they want to attend,” he continued.

Brown, who was followed by a television camera and microphone for much of his time at the event, said he wants to bring students together across the large school, combating the natural tendency to take pride only in a student’s individual school or college. He referred to an event held by the Pakistani student organization the previous night that brought students together from all over the university, as well as the city of Boston.

Brown praised the 41,000 hours of community service pledged by students to commemorate his inauguration.

Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore, a member of the inauguration committee, said Brown was the “genesis” behind the idea of a student-centered event to begin inauguration week.

“He likes getting out and walking around and chit-chatting with people,” Elmore said of Brown, who spent the afternoon talking with students and administrators.

Brown even sat on the ground of the Track and Tennis Center with his wife, Beverly, who wearing a yellow Day of Service t-shirt and watched performers.

“He’s a big fan of student life,” Elmore said.

Stage Manager Allie Flauter said Brown was enthusiastic about the event.

“President Brown thought it would be a good idea because he likes BU Central,” the College of Communication junior said. “This is BU Central on a larger scale.”

Student Union President Jon Marker said he was “incredibly happy” with the way the event turned out.

“It’s an opportunity for students to relax and be with Brown,” the College of Arts and Sciences junior said. “He’s making a real effort to bridge gaps across the academic schools.”

Marker also noted the lack of attendance, far below the 1,200 people the event was planned for.

“As with everything, I wish we could have had the whole student body here,” he said.

The event, during which students filed in and out of, saw its peak during Matt Nathanson’s performance at 1 p.m. About 100 students stood in front of the stage, while others sat down, eating free food provided by Snapple.

Hospitality Coordinator Elizabeth Fierman said she and her fellow coordinators would “love to have 1,200 people.”

“The more, the merrier,” the COM sophomore said.

Despite the printing of hundreds of posters, a mass email and other heavy advertising, the event remained far below that projection, seeing only about 150 students in the center at any one time.

“I’m assuming people are studying,” Elmore said.

Brown said he thought many students were also studying for upcoming finals and projects, and mentioned the difficulty organizers had figuring out a convenient time to hold the event.

Brown spoke to the crowd midway through the performances, introduced by Marker as a man whose “dedication and enthusiasm for the university gives me incredible hope.”

Mentioning the 41,000 hours of service to applause, Brown said he wants to try to figure out how to “energize the student body.”

“We need to encourage more interaction between administrators and the student body,” he said. “I’m very proud to be here, and I hope you are, too.”

Brown left the stage giving an order he said he learned from his 24-year-old son Ryan: “Party hardy.”

Acoustic performer Nathanson said he plays a good mix of both colleges and regular venues, and had to have an earlier set because of a show at Westfield State College later in the afternoon.

During his performance, Nathanson noted the unusual venue, and told the audience to “take a lap around the track” while he played.

Speak for Yourself President Justin Lamb performed an “open letter to Freddie Prinze, Jr.” with two other members in between dances by The Edge.

Students, inundated with advertisements about the event, came to the festival for different reasons.

Charles Owens was at the festival to see hip-hop group Little Brother.

As for what he expected of the show, Owens said he was optimistic.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “That’s the thing about Ballyhoo.”