The University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) is pleased to announce that United States District Judge Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe will serve as the Commencement Speaker for the UCCI Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony to be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the John Gray High School Auditorium.
Judge Moe’s selection is especially meaningful to the Cayman Islands community because of her deep ancestral and personal ties to Cayman Brac. Her ancestors are believed to have been among the original settlers of the island, and generations of her family have maintained a strong connection to the Cayman Islands and, in particular, to Cayman Brac.
Judge Moe’s great-grandmother, Clara Editha Scott Leitch, was recognised in 2003 as one of the Five Distinguished Women of the Cayman Islands. Her grandfather, William Nathaniel “Willie K” Kirkconnell, a Cayman Brac native, sailed internationally during his service in the United States Merchant Marines before returning to Cayman Brac to join the family shipping business, operating throughout the Caribbean and Central America.
Although members of Judge Moe’s family later immigrated to the United States, they maintained close ties to Cayman Brac and regularly returned to the island. Throughout her life, Judge Moe has treasured her family’s time in and ties to Cayman Brac, where her parents, Cary Gaylord and Ann Kirkconnell Gaylord, continue to maintain a home. Judge Moe and her family continue to treasure their connection to the island and its community.
Born in Miami, Florida, Judge Moe earned her undergraduate degree with honours from Furman University before graduating with honours from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the law review.
Her distinguished legal and judicial career includes service as a commercial litigator, state trial judge, appellate judge, and now as a United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida. In 2025, she received a lifetime federal judicial appointment following nomination by President Donald Trump and confirmation by the United States Senate.
UCCI believes Judge Moe’s remarkable professional accomplishments, combined with her enduring Caymanian heritage and connection to Cayman Brac, make her an inspiring choice to address the graduating Class of 2026.
This year's Commencement Ceremony will be celebrated under the theme "Inspiring Excellence, Transforming the Future." The theme reflects UCCI's commitment to empowering students to achieve their highest potential while preparing graduates with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to create positive change in their professions, communities, and the Cayman Islands.
The ceremony will celebrate graduates from a wide range of academic, professional, technical, and vocational programmes, bringing together students, families, faculty, government officials, and members of the wider community in recognition of student achievement and national development through education.
UCCI extends sincere appreciation to Judge Moe and her family for accepting the invitation to serve as keynote speaker and for returning to a place that continues to hold deep personal significance to them.
