New shift for old Varsity

[Myosmith]

I have a Schwinn Varsity from somewhere around 1978-79 in storage and want to fix it up as a commuter. My one chronic complaint about the Varsity was the shifters. I wasn't fond of the way the levers worked, or their position (looked like a good way to eviscerate yourself if you ever went over the handlebars). Is it possible to convert a Varsity to use another form of shifter?

I'm thinking of removing the smaller chainring to eliminate one shifter and then finding a handlebar mounted shifter for the rear. I know this will probably require that I fabricate a custom cable, but that is not a problem. I'm more concerned about finding a shifter compatible with the rear cassette and stock derailleur. I'm trying to avoid converting to a fixie.